Oak Creek Safer At Home Order Set To Expire; Businesses To Open

OAK CREEK, WI — Oak Creek businesses will be allowed to reopen after city officials announced they're allowing their own Safer At Home emergency order to expire at the end of the day Thursday.

Following the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision of May 13, which struck down Wisconsin’s Safer at Home Order, suburban Milwaukee County communities issued their own Safer At Home orders.

Oak Creek was among suburban communities that issued their own Safer At Home, which was set for one week. Oak Creek's order is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday.

“The Order #1 was an effective tool to make for a more orderly transition from the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision to the safe re-opening of our community businesses,” Darcy DuBois, Oak Creek Community Health Officer said in a statement. “We share the goal of reopening as safely and quickly as possible while instilling confidence in businesses, employees, and residents that it is safe to participate in public life. We took the last week to communicate with our businesses so they could prepare for reopening as early as Friday, May 22. In discussions with the Oak Creek Mayor and Common Council, we are ready to open, albeit cautiously, and the current public health metrics support that decision.”

With the Oak Creek Order expiring after Thursday, residents and visitors will again be able to patronize local businesses in the city.

The Health Department will be issuing guidance to local businesses and gathering places on Physical Distancing, Protective Measures, Safe Business Practices, and recommended capacity limits, but citizens are also reminded to:

• Stay home if they do not feel well or exhibit flu-like symptoms.
• Practice physical distancing.
• Wash hands often.
• Cover coughs.
• Wear a cloth face covering if possible.
• Strictly adhere to the protective measures and safe business practices advertised by the local businesses.
• Continue to limit gathering sizes.

"Remember that COVID-19 is still very present in our community," DuBois said.

“Given the caliber of the people owning and operating our community businesses, both large and small, we know the proper steps will be taken to re-engage in economic activity while protecting the public,” Oak Creek Mayor Dan Bukiewicz said. “It has been a long couple of months for everyone, but it’s time to get back to working, producing, and socializing as long those activities are done is a safe manner.”

Residents and businesses are encouraged to visit the city’s website at www.oakcreekwi.org for more information.